The Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Ismail, emphasized the urgency for Southeast Asian countries to maintain an open, secure, and interoperable digital ecosystem. This was stated during the 2026 ADGSOM-ATRC Joint Working Group meeting in Jakarta, in response to the increasingly complex and tight global technological competition.
Ismail highlighted that the current geopolitical landscape has created new challenges, ranging from digital sovereignty issues to increasingly massive cybersecurity threats. According to him, ASEAN nations must close ranks by strengthening regional centrality and solidarity to avoid being eroded by the ever-changing global technology supply chain.
Furthermore, cross-border collaboration is seen as the primary foundation for creating sustainable digital economic growth. Technological transformation is expected not only to spur innovation but also to serve as a balancing instrument for regional stability in an interconnected world.
In an effort to respond to these rapid changes, Ismail stated that the implementation of the ASEAN Digital Master Plan 2030 (ADM 2030) is a crucial instrument. This strategic document is projected to guide ASEAN over the next five years to remain adaptive and effective in managing the governance of emerging technologies in the future.
